BillyCurrington only dreamed of being a country music star when he left for Nashville 10 years ago. Now that dream has become a reality.

With the release of his newest record, "Doin' Something Right," the Rincon native is now among Nashville's hot commodities. "Must Be Doin' Something Right" went to No. 1 late last year. His third single, "Good Directions," shot to No. 1 this week. After months of touring, he is now back in the studio making a third album.

On Thursday, he'll share billing with Trace Adkins and Luke Bryan at the Savannah Civic Center. We talked to him Monday by phone about his homecoming performance. Despite success, he still gets excited about the simple life, especially when it comes to his grandma.

SAVANNAH MORNING NEWS: WHAT'S IT FEEL LIKE TO PLAY AT HOME? BILLYCURRINGTON: It's definitely one of my favorite things to do. The Civic Center was always a cool place. My mom took me there to see my first concert by Kenny Rogers. I was hooked on music after that. SMN: DID YOU COME TO SAVANNAH OFTEN AS A KID TO SEE CONCERTS? CURRINGTON: Only when Alabama or Kenny Rogers came through town. I learned about music from my dad's record collection. That was his pastime. He'd put on Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard or Willie Nelson. I had no choice but to hear good-old country music all the time. SMN: WHEN WAS THE MOMENT YOU REALIZED THIS MUSIC THING WAS GOING TO WORK? CURRINGTON: There's no exact moment. I'd be playing in a bars meeting songwriters who would tell me to quit the day-job and write and sell songs more. People started offering me demo work, with me singing their songs. I don't know. After that, I got a publishing deal and that started coming together. All that was after being in Nashville for eight years. SMN: WHAT DID YOUR PARENTS SAY WHEN YOU TOLD THEM ABOUT YOUR RECORD DEAL? CURRINGTON: I kept it a secret until I could tell them. After being in Nashville for eight years, a lot of people start to feel sorry for you. I got a lot of that back home, even from my family. They were like, "Boy, when are you going to come home?" After that long, it's natural for them to lose hope. I don't think they feel sorry for me anymore, though. SMN: WHAT DO YOU HAVE IN MIND FOR THE SHOW THURSDAY? CURRINGTON: For a while, I couldn't think of anything more exciting than going back home to play the best show ever. Then my 78-year-old grandmother decided to retire from the school she's been working at for years and years. The retirement party is the day before the show. I cannot wait to get home and play the Civic Center and be a part of my grandmother's celebration. That's the most exciting thing about coming home.